150 high school students from five various schools turned up for the screening of Beneath the Tides at Nakuru players theatre yesterday.

The students were drawn from Ronaka, Kiamunyi, Crater View, Boenix, and Kimathi Secondary Schools

Beneath the Tides delves deep into the complexities of family and institution dynamics, culture, and identity, offering glimpses into the human experience.

From seeking the identity of a young lady in inheritance to an imaginary ideology in Stero, each film presents a unique narrative that is reflected in the students.

All the short films made a point of doing what is expected of a film, which is to ‘show, not tell.’

Chloe Genga during the interview at Nakuru players theatre on July 27, 2024.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

Chloe Genga an Impact Producer at LBx Africa says that the films were showcased to the high school students to introduce young people to film at a young age.

"It's very rare to find films being screened for high school students. Today's event was aimed at not only introducing them to Kenyan film but also allowing them to interact with people they see on the screen," she says.

Catherine Ndung'u, a student from Kiamunyi High school told Mtaa Wangu that today was her first time interacting with Kenyan film.

"I've never watched Kenyan films but I am going to watch them moving forward. One memorable film was Mawimbi," she says.

John Deng also appreciated the opportunity to be part of the screening noting that he's got an opportunity to learn.

"I've understood that there are other available opportunities in the film sector other than acting," he says.

The three short films under the Beneath the Tides collection are;

Mawimbi – Directed by Mark Wambui, produced by Ivy Kiru, and written by Ian Wanjohi focuses on Kazungu who after his mother’s funeral joins his father on a fishing trip during which their strained relationship plays out.

Inheritance – Directed by Barbara Minishi, produced by Ivy Kiru, and written by Ngwatilo Mawiyoois about a chance meeting between an alienated young woman and the village outlier leads to an extraordinary meeting with her dead grandfather.

Stero – Directed by Tevin Kimathi and Millan Tarus, produced by Juliana Kabua, and written by Millan Tarus tells the story of a Kung Fu prodigy who navigates school with his imaginary Sensei following one simple rule: What would Bruce Lee do?

Lucarelli Onyango (Sensei in STERO) during the interview at Nakuru players theatre on July 27, 2024.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

Lucarelli Onyango (Sensei in STERO) notes that the screening was a jittery experience especially talking to a new audience.

"It was also a learning experience especially getting feedback about the films," he says.

He encourages more screenings to be done to allow increased consumption of Kenyan films.

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Muthoni Wanjiku